Comforting Winter Chicken Noodle Soup
Warm up your cold winter days with this Comforting Winter Chicken Noodle Soup! Inspired by a classic Edna Lewis recipe, this soup features a rich, flavorful broth that cooks up in less than ninety minutes, making it the perfect quick yet hearty meal. Tender chunks of chicken, colorful vegetables, and hearty egg noodles come together to create a cozy dish that nurtures both body and soul. Ideal for those chilly evenings or when you're feeling under the weather, this soup is sure to become a staple in your kitchen.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
vegetable oil
1 tablespoon
whole chicken breasts
2
boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 cups (cut into 1-inch cubes)
medium onions
2 (cut into medium dice)
boiling water
2 quarts
table salt
to taste
bay leaves
2
large carrot
1 (peeled and cut 1/4-inch thick)
medium celery rib
1 (sliced 1/4-inch thick)
dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon
egg noodles
2 cups (preferably wide)
fresh parsley leaves
1/4 cup (minced)
ground black pepper
to taste
Instructions
1
In a large soup kettle, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers and begins to smoke, add the chicken breast halves. Sauté until golden brown on both sides, approximately 5 minutes. Remove from the kettle and set aside.
2
In the same kettle, add half of the chopped onions. Sauté until they become golden and slightly softened, about 2-3 minutes. Transfer them to a medium bowl and set aside.
3
Next, add half of the cubed chicken pieces to the kettle. Sauté until they are no longer pink, around 4-5 minutes, then transfer to the bowl with the sautéed onions.
4
Repeat the process with the remaining cubed chicken pieces; once done, return the onions and chicken (not including the breasts) back into the kettle. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let simmer until the chicken releases its juices, about 20 minutes.
5
Increase the heat to high; add the boiling water, the reserved chicken breasts, 2 teaspoons of salt, and bay leaves. Bring to a simmer, then cover and allow to cook gently until the chicken breasts are fully cooked and the broth is rich and aromatic, about 20 minutes.
6
Carefully remove the chicken breasts from the kettle and set aside. Once cool enough to handle, discard the skin and bones, shredding the meat into bite-sized pieces. Strain the broth, discarding any remaining bones, and skim off the fat, reserving 2 tablespoons.
7
Return the kettle to medium-high heat and add the reserved chicken fat. Add the remaining chopped onions, carrots, and celery, and sauté until they soften, approximately 5 minutes.
8
Stir in the dried thyme, followed by the strained broth and shredded chicken. Let the soup simmer until the vegetables are tender and the flavors meld together, about 10-15 minutes.
9
Add the egg noodles and cook until they are just tender, approximately 5 additional minutes. Adjust seasonings to taste, then stir in the minced parsley just before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this soup recipe?
The recipe is called Comforting Winter Chicken Noodle Soup.
Whose classic recipe inspired this version?
This soup was inspired by a classic Edna Lewis recipe.
How long does it take to prepare this chicken noodle soup?
The broth and soup cook up in less than ninety minutes.
What type of chicken is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses both 2 whole chicken breasts and 2 cups of boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch cubes.
How many onions are required for the recipe?
You will need 2 medium onions, cut into medium dice.
What is the first step in the cooking instructions?
Heat vegetable oil in a large soup kettle over medium-high heat and sauté chicken breast halves until golden brown.
How much boiling water is added to the broth?
The recipe calls for 2 quarts of boiling water.
How many bay leaves are used for seasoning?
Two bay leaves are used to season the broth.
What is the recommended preparation for the carrot?
One large carrot should be peeled and cut 1/4-inch thick.
How should the celery be prepared?
One medium celery rib should be sliced 1/4-inch thick.
What dried herb is included in the ingredient list?
The recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon of dried thyme.
What type of noodles are recommended?
Two cups of egg noodles, preferably wide, are recommended.
How much fresh parsley is used for the garnish?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of minced fresh parsley leaves.
How long should the cubed chicken simmer to release its juices?
The cubed chicken should simmer on low heat, covered, for about 20 minutes.
What do I do with the whole chicken breasts after they are cooked?
Discard the skin and bones and shred the meat into bite-sized pieces.
Is the broth strained during the process?
Yes, the broth should be strained to discard bones and then skimmed of fat.
How much chicken fat should be reserved after skimming?
You should reserve 2 tablespoons of chicken fat.
When do you add the egg noodles?
The egg noodles are added after the vegetables have simmered and become tender.
How long do the egg noodles need to cook?
The egg noodles cook for approximately 5 additional minutes until just tender.
When is the fresh parsley added to the soup?
The minced parsley is stirred in just before serving.
What are the primary flavor tags for this recipe?
The tags include soup, chicken, noodles, hearty, winter recipe, and comfort food.
What oil is used to sauté the ingredients?
One tablespoon of vegetable oil is used.
Is this recipe suitable for someone feeling under the weather?
Yes, the description notes it is ideal for when you're feeling under the weather.
How long do the vegetables need to simmer in the broth?
They should simmer for 10-15 minutes until tender and flavors meld.
Do you use salt and pepper?
Yes, both table salt and ground black pepper are added to taste.
Should the chicken breasts be sautéed on both sides?
Yes, sauté them until golden brown on both sides, which takes about 5 minutes.
What size should the chicken cubes be?
The boneless chicken breasts should be cut into 1-inch cubes.
What happens to the sautéed onions in the second step?
Half of the onions are sautéed until golden and then set aside in a medium bowl.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
The serving count is not specified in the provided data.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 13 ingredients in this recipe.